Electric chain saw recommendations?

[perc-o-prince]

I'd prefer electric over gas for ease of maintenance/repair. I've never done a lot of work on small engines, and it's not like it will get a lot of use.

The one I'm replacing is a 16" Remington 3HP electric. I pushed it a little too hard when cutting up a rather large tree that fell in the back yard, and burned out the wire going to one of the brushes. I've tried about a dozen places, and the field (can't just buy the brush assemblies) is no longer available from the parts distributors. Too bad. Other than that it's a gteat saw!

Anyway, I'm looking at Homelite (16", 12A, $69.97 at Homo Depot) vs. Remington (16", 11.5A, 3HP, $59.99 at Blowes).

The Homelite has tool-less chain tensioning which sounds attractive at first. However, one of the reviews mentions that the chain came off the bar even after tightening it. So, I took a look at the reviews for a Remington (not the 3A 16" I'm considering) with the tool-less tensioner as well, and the lone reviewer said, "The plastic that held the nut on the tension screw had broken and the nut on the tension screw had split into two pieces and the threads on the tension screw had stripped. Apparently the pressure of the chain pulling against the tension adjustment set-up was too much for the cheap material that it was made out of." Sounds like a similar problem to the Homelite. BTW, the reviewer is a machinist w/20+ yrs experience, and was shocked that the tension screw wasn't heavier metal and the nut was plastic.

So, I'm strongly considering NOT going with the Homelite because of the tensioner. Has anyone here had experience with this? Or, has anyone else had problems with a Remington (not from pushing it too hard)?

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[frigilux]

Chuck, I've heard of extreme kitchen tools, but this...this is over-the-top, man!

 

[filter-flo_rob]

Eugene, picture Chuck carving a roast with that thang ...

This is odd ... I posted something to this thread and it didn't appear.

I've never used an electric one, but I know a few who have. They have ALL complained, no matter which model, that the chain comes off the bar quite frequently, regardless of the setting of the "tensioner". Best advice for me to pass along to you from them is to use very little pressure when cutting ... let the saw do the work.

Rob.

 

[aquarius1984]

Ask the expert!

This guy knows a thing or two about chainsaws.....

 

[oldhouseman]

Rob is

right on the target there. I have used both kinds different models overs the years. Every electric one has massive problems with the tension not holding. You have to take it slow and easy when using the electric ones no matter who makes it. They are for light -and I do mean light- jobs only!

 

[jeffg]

Consumersearch recommends the Husqvarna 316E (check Husqvarna's website for dealers).

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/chainsaws/

 

[sudsmaster]

Go with gas

I agree. Electric is ok for light work, but at that point you might as well use a cordless model (there are 18 volt types out that use the same battery packs as drills and other hand power tools - I have Ryobi set that includes a little chain saw that is fine for tiny jobs).

If you need to chop up a big project like a felled tree, gas is really the way to go. Last year I finally got a Poulan Pro 16" gas chain saw and it really rocks when compared to the corded electric model I'd been using. It's come in quite handy in the back yard as I planted way too many fruit trees for the space and I've had to thin out some mature ones.

I started out on my property with nearly all my lawn power tools being electric: mower, edger, weed wacker, hedge trimmer, etc. One by one they failed to keep up with the load and I have replaced all of them with gas versions. The freedom from a power cord is worth it alone - cutting through an electric cord with a hedge trimmer is a sort of scary experience. And hand held cordless yard tools simply don't have the power capacity to do much more than detail work.

The Poulan Pro chain saw obviously isn't one of the top brands, like a Stihl, but it's been just fine for the occasional work it needs to do. And it certainly is better than the McCulloch electric it replaced.

I have sold off or donated to charity most of the corded electric yard equipment I bought.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Eugene, picture Chuck carving a roast with that thang ...

I suppose it would pull a pork shoulder faster than the 2 fork method!!!

DAMN! I didn't think to check the WantADvertizer online earlier (link below), and I missed two nice ones, $25 each, about 20 minutes away! A 14" Wen gas-powered, "like new," and a Craftsman 16" electric in "exc condition." The guy got them from the "put-n-take" at his landfill, sharpened the chains, and tested them!

With the Remington I had, I didn't have any problems with the chain popping at all. And it's not like I didn't use it. Just lucky I guess. And, since it was $5 and like new when I got it (Ron found it for me at a yard sale) I can't complain. He's keeping his eyes open for another one in his travels too!

We don't have to get one right away so I'm going to keep checking Craigslist and the WantAd (comes out every Tuesday) in the meantime.

I understand about the gas ones being better overall, but I'm a little worried about the maintenance. I know how I am! And, other than changing the spark plug, I haven't worked on those little engines before. I suppose I should learn, huh? Maybe if I find a good used one cheap..... I can't justify the price of a new Husky or Stihl.

BTW, I was advised to stay away from Poulan because they weren't well-made. That was from a large lawn shop near here where I take the chains to get sharpened. But Rich, you haven't had any trouble with yours? I just saw them at Wal-Mart today when I was there for unrelated stuff.

Chuck

http://www.thewantad.com/default.aspx

 

[sudsmaster]

The maintenance on a gas powered chain saw isn't much more than that for an electric one. Both need to have their chain lube kept toppped off. Both need to have chain tension checked and adjusted regularly. Both need to have the chain sharpened regularly. The only difference is that a 2 stroke gas chainsaw should have the proper fuel pre-mix, and it should be drained for storage, at least once a year. Other than that there are no valves to adjust in a 2 stroke. Oh, the air filter might need replacing after a while, but that depends on how much you use it.

Compared to the hassle of keeping track of an electric chainsaw's power cord, the minor upkeep with the gas/oil fuel mix is minor.

 

[gizmo]

I know Aussie brands won't be much use to you, but for what it's worth...

I have 2 chainsaws, a Jonsered petrol (gas) unit and an Arlec electric one. Arlec is an Australian brand, but the unit is a Chinese copy of a Makita.

The Jonsered is a good quality unit, not sure if that brand is sold in USA but they are Swedish made and are a rebadged Husqvarna from what I'm told. I have had a lot of trouble with it, mainly from infrequent use where fuel goes stale, and it seems that the idle and mixture adjustments need constant attention.

the Arlec is great. I am so impressed with it, I only use the petrol one when the job is too far away for a cord to reach. The Arlec has an electric chain brake which stops the chain instantly you release the trigger. It has plenty of grunt for medium to heavy jobs.

It is an obvious copy of the Makita, except the Makita is blue/green while tha Arlec is red. If you can find a Makita for sale in USA then I bet it will be fantastic.

The tension adjustment needs a spanner (wrench) but it is easy and the spanner comes with it.

despite being a cheap Chinese product, the Arlec came with a genuine Oregon brand chain and bar from the USA.

Chris.

 

[gizmo]

Here is a USA website for the Makita:

My Arlec is a copy of this machine.

Chris

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=UC4000

 

[gizmo]

and Makita USA now have a newer version with more features including tool-less adjustment:

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=UC4030A

 

[tolivac]

From the power tool experiences I have had and from selling and repairing-the electric chain saws I would suggest are Makita and Milwaukee.Milwaukee electric tool makes an excellent one-the customers at the tool supply that bought it were--heating and airconditioning contracotrs.they loved those machines for cutting duct holes in wooden walls and floors-perfect for cutting the square and rectangular duct holes.Same with the Makita.these were very expensive-but both have high quality motors and mechanisms.Also chain saw carvers liked the Makitas because of their very high chain speeds-you'b better be sure the oil levels in this one is up-or you will smoke the bar and chain!
Gas machines i would suggest Stihl,Jonsered,Husqnarva,Echo.lumbermen and tree technicians like these machines.I would hate to say it-but STAY AWAY from Poulan!!!these have more motor problems and start problems than the other brands of chainsaw machines.

 

[filter-flo_rob]

Thanks for the info, Rex.

I've got an old Stihl I bought ... 3rd hand and it is a great saw. I'm in need of another soon.

We had some tree work done earlier this year and the tree guys and gals had Echo ... one of them was a 28 incher and that thing cut through huge logs effortlessly!

Rob.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Well, thanks to the flea markets my choice was made for me. I snagged a gas McCulloch last Sunday in Hubbardston for $45 and an electric 14" Craftsman for $10 yesterday at the pre-Brimfield show. I couldn't NOT buy them!

Thanks for everyone's help. I can go out well-informed in the event I need a new one again!

Chuck